Jakarta – Prof Purwiyatno Hariyadi, a professor of Bogor University of Agriculture (IPB) is wondering why many people hate the palm oil, despite the fact that people are very highly dependent on the most-versatile vegetable oil.
Data from the global market has shown that more than 50% products sold in supermarkets or small retailers are produced by using the palm oil as raw material or as a mixture.
“At least 68% of palm oil is used as raw material for global food production. From margarine, confectionery, chocolate, pizza, bread, cooking oil, and to many other products,” the Senior Scientist of Southeast Asian Food & Agricultural Science & Technology (SEAFAST) Center of the IPB University said during webinar on “Accelerating Development of Palm Oil Industry To Support Sustainable Economy in West Kalimantan” on Thursday, 16 September 2021.
He said that around 27% of the palm oil is used to produce many other non-food products that are daily used by the general public. They include soaps, detergent, toothpaste, cosmetics, sanitizers, medicines and cleaning agents. “The other 5.0% is used as raw material to produce biodiesel,” he said.
According to him, in Indonesia the use of palm oil during the period of 2017 until July 2021 has been continually rising. Based on data from the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) in 2017 the palm oil production is 20.1% used for biodiesel production, 6.2% for oleo-chemical; and 73.7% for foods.
In 2018, the palm oil production is 28.3% for biodiesel production; 7.1% for oleo-chemical; and 64.5% for foods. In 2019, for biodiesel 34.8%; for oleo-chemical 6.3%; for foods 58.9%. In 2020, for biodiesel 41.7%; for oleo-chemical 9.8%; for foods 48.6%. As of July 2021, the use of palm oil for biodiesel production at 37.4%; for oleo-chemical 11.3% and for foods 51.3%.
Indonesia is fortunate to have been blessed with the vast acreage of oil palm plantations. “In fact, Indonesia is the largest producer of palm oil in the world. The big portion of it is located in West Kalimantan province,” he said.
According to him, West Kalimantan has the potential to meet the need for nutrition at national and global levels. “The palm oil is good for food production as it is naturally devoid of trans fatty acid and balance in the components of saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Another advantage is its high content of phytonutrients such as beta carotene and tocopherol,” he said.
He pointed out that the palm oil industry is national asset and a blessing for global community as it is the most versatile, most efficient, and most economic vegetable oil compared to other vegetable oils. “In order to formulate the scientific position of palm oil as raw material for food products and hygiene and cleaning products, as well as its sustainability, palm oil stakeholders need to strengthen a synergy with universities and research institutions,” he asserted.
The Indonesian Oil Palm Smallholders Association (APKASINDO) West Kalimantan Office Head Indra Rustandi also underlined the versatility of palm oil as Indonesian people use products made of palm oil for 24 hours a day. “It is just normal if the palm oil is categorized as national vital object. So, all people should care and protect it,” he told the webinar participants.
Indra also noted that without palm oil Indonesian economy would have long seen a dire condition, especially during the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted all economic sectors. “But the palm oil has been continually growing positively and saves the economy of Indonesia and also West Kalimantan,” he added.
“But certain groups have been trying to vilify the palm oil. Even among them are Indonesian people who should actually defend the palm oil that has given economic benefits, social benefits and environmental benefits, including in saving the Indonesian forests,” he said.
“We oil palm growers have proposed to the house of representatives (DPR) Commission IV and President to set up a ministry of plantation with one directorate general specially managing palm oil agribusiness and agroindustry based on the sustainability principles,” he said. (*)
Source: elaeis.co
